Cradle check device for coin accepting apparatus



March 9, 1965 M. P. HAVERSTICK CRADLE CHECK DEVICE FOR COIN ACCEPTINGAPPARATUS Filed April 9, 1962 INVENTOR. Me/V'a/ I? flaw/$270k UnitedStates Patent C) ACCEPTING This invention relates to coin handlingequipment and particularly to apparatus for separating coins fromspurious discs and mutilated coins, as well as being capable ofselecting coins of a predetermined denomination and directing the sameinto a coin accepting pathway forming a part of the mechanism.

One of the most significant factors in recent years leading to thepopularity and widespread public acceptance of vending and other typesof coin operated machines, has been the development of simple, efficientand relatively inexpensive mechanisms controlling operation of themachines and capable of accepting coins of various denominations,returning change to the customer if necessary, and able to distinguishbetween genuine coins and a wide variety of spurious discs. However,certain problems have still been encountered with the coin accepting andselecting mechanism in those instances where deliberate etforts are madeto obtain products from a machine or services performed thereby, withoutdeposit of proper coins in the mechanism. One of the important advancesresulting in a commercially practical coin selecting and rejecting unitwas the development of a rotatable cradle positioned in the path oftravel of coins deposited in the mechanism for causing coins ofpredetermined size to become lodged on the legs of the cradle andthereby diverted into the coin accepting pathway for such coins whilesmaller coins passed downwardly between the legs of the cradle fordischarge from the mechanism or testing by another cradle therebelow.

Although the selector cradle described above was valuable in permittingselection of coins of the right diameter, the cradle still had certainlimitations because of the possibility that under certain circumstances,a coin of smaller than required diameter could be thrown into the coinaccepting and rejecting unit with sufiicient force and in a direction tocause such coin tostrike one of the legs of the cradle in a manner topermit deflection of the cradle and thus diversion of such coin into thecoin accepting pathway for larger and usually higher value coins. Thisresulted in either jamming of the mechanism or permitting delivery of aproduct to the customer or provision of a service to such customer ofthe machine, by a coin of lower than required value for normal operationof the machine.

It is therefore, the primary object of the present invention to providea simple and very inexpensive cradle check device for coin selectingapparatus of the type specified, wherein the cradle check deviceoperates to preclude rotation of the cradle controlled thereby, unless acoin of required diameter comes to rest on both of the legs of thecradle before such coin is then diverted into the coin accepting pathwaytherefor. Thus rotation of the cradle by a coin striking only one legthereof is rendered impossible and only coins of the proper value willbe diverted into the coin accepting pathway adjacent the cradlecontrolled by the cradle check device.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a cradle checkdevice for coin accepting and selecting apparatus wherein the cradle fordiverting genuine coins of required diameter into a coin acceptingpathway adjacent thereto, is provided with a pair of legs for receivingthe coin thereon with one of the legs being movice able upwardly and theother leg downwardly during ro tation of the cradle to divert a genuinecoin of required diameter into the coin accepting pathway therefore, andwherein the novel coin check device is positioned within the path of acoin gravitating toward the coin selecting cradle and locatedimmediately above the normally upwardly movable leg of the cradle topreclude rotation of the cradle, unless a coin displaces the checkdevice from its position overlying the upwardly movable leg of thecradle as such coin comes to rest on both of the legs of the cradle andthereby preventing a smaller than required size coin striking thedownwardly movable leg of the cradle to effect diversion of such smallcoin into the coin accepting pathway.

An additional important object of the invention is to provide a cradlecheck device for coin accepting apparatus which may be utilized onpresently existing equipment without substantial modification thereof.

Other important objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome obvious or be explained in greater detail as the followingspecification progresses.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of coin accepting and selectingapparatus adapted to separate genuine 50 coins from spurious discs andcoins of smaller diameter, adapted to be mounted on the upper end ofcoin accepting units designed to separate smaller value coins into thevarious denominations thereof, and embodying the novel cradle checkdevice of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3of FIG. 1 and looking to the right;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the rear face of theswingable gate unit forming a part of the coin selecting apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 andshowing the cradle in the location thereof whereby a coin is divertedinto the coin accepting pathway for the same.

Briefly, the present cradle check device is adapted to be mounted oncoin accepting and selecting apparatus provided with a rotatable cradlehaving a pair of legs thereon extending into the coin receiving pathwayand adapted to support a coin thereon during rotation of the cradle tothereby divert the coin into the coin accepting pathway of theapparatus. One of the legs of the cradle is movable downwardly and theother leg upwardly with respect to the axis of rotation of the cradle,as such cradle is rotated to divert the coin into the coin acceptingpathway. The novel cradle check device is positioned in the path of thecoin gravitating toward the cradle and also is provided with anextension thereon normally overlying the upwardly movable leg of thecradle to preclude rota tion of the cradle through a suflicient arc todivert a coin into the coin accepting pathway, until such coin comescompletely to rest on both of the legs of the cradle. A secondary cradlecheck structure is provided to preclude rotation of the cradle when anattempt is made to substitute a washer of appropriate size and weightfor a legitimate coin.

In order to illustrate the novel concepts of the present cradle checkdevice, coin selecting and accepting apparatus 10 is shown in thedrawing and for this purpose, apparatus is illustrated of the typeespecially adapted to separate 50 coins from smaller coins and to alsoefiect rejection of spurious discs which are occasionally anddeliberately deposited in the apparatus. It is particularly contemplatedthat apparatus 10 be adapted to be mounted on the upper margin ofadditional coin selecting and accepting mechanism of the same nature tohandle the smaller coins of usually lesser value.

The 50 selecting apparatus 10 includes a generally U- shaped main frame12 with the rear wall 12a thereof having tab means 12b thereon adjacentthe side wall 12c of frame 12, for supporting a pair of swingable gateunits 14 and 16 which are rotatable about the axis of pin 18 removablycarried by the spaced tabs 12]). Since the construction of gate units 14and 16 forms no part of the present invention, the same will not bedescribed in detail in that those skilled in this art will readilyappreciate the manner in which such gate units should be configured topresent a coin receiving pathway, coin testing means including arotatable cradle broadly designated 20, a coin accepting pathwayadjacent cradle 20, and a coin rejecting pathway for delivering spuriousdiscs and coins of smaller size, to the coin accepting and selectingmechanism positioned immediately below apparatus it).

In order to permit proper orientation of the parts, it is to beunderstood that the gate unit 16 includes a main irregularly shapedplate 22 maintained in parallel spaced relationship with respect to back12a of frame 12 provided with an inclined upper marginal portion 22acooperable with the upper edge of back 12a to produce a coin receivingpathway designated 24 in FIG. 2. The coin chute of the vending machineor other equipment in which apparatus It is mounted, connects a coinslot with coin receiving pathway 24 so that coins inserted in themachine are caused to gravitate directly into the opening between plate22 and back 12a and designated as the coin receiving pathway 24 inproximal relationship to the leg 12d of frame 12.

The selector cradle 2% is pivotally mounted on the outer face of plate22 for rotation about the horizontal axis of pin 26 carried by plate 22,and as is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 4, plate 22 has a pair of opposed,arcuate slots 28 and 3G for clearing the inwardly projecting, opposedlegs 32 and 34 of cradle and which project into the coin receivingpathway 24. Structure cooperable with plate 22 and back 12a to directcoins onto the legs 32 and 34 of cradle include an integral, inwardlydirected lug 36 forming a part of plate 22 adjacent leg 12d of frame 12,and also an extension 38 forming a part of a member 4%] carried by theouter face of plate 22 adjacent the inclined portion 22a thereof.

A section 22b of the lower margin of plate 22 is bent rearwardly towardthe inner face of back 12a of frame 12 and defines the coin acceptingpathway of apparatus 1% whereby 50 coins 42- are diverted by cradle 2%from the coin receiving pathway 24 onto the rail 22b for gravitationtherealong. An integral, irregularly configured foot 44 extendingdownwardly from the lower edge of back wall 12a adjacent the side leg12c thereof, serves to direct the coin 42 into the cash box of themachine receiving apparatus 10. Note should be made in this respect thatthe foot 44 serves to direct the coin 42 over the top of the coinaccepting and selecting unit serving as the mount for apparatus 10.

The gate unit 14 includes a cast body 46 mounted on pin 18 for rotationabout the axis thereof, by the framework 48 and is movable relative tothe plate 22. A magnet 50 is mounted in body 46 in facing relationshipto back 12a of frame 12, it being noted that plate 22 is provided withan irregular aperture 52 therein for clearing body 46 to permit coins 42gravitating along the coin track defined by section 22b, to be subjectedto the magnetic field of magnet 50. A shiftable stop 54 carried by bodyand extending toward frame 12 is adapted to en gage the inner face ofback 12a and thereby maintain the outer surfaces of magnet inpredetermined spaced relationship from back 120.

The spring means broadly designated 56 and mounted on pin 18, hasindividual leg portions engaging the back 12a, plate 22 and framework 48for biasing gate units 14 and 16 toward the iner face of back 12a. It isto be noted from FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 that a generally L-shaped plate 58 ismounted on the outer face of body 46 for movement therewith and providedwith three inwardly exitending legs 58a, 58b and 580 projecting toward,but normally spaced from, the inner face of back 12a. The legs 58a and581) project through the slots 28 and 30 respectively, while plate 22 isprovided with a circular opening 60 therein adjacent magnets 50 forclearing the leg 58c of plate 58.

Means for shifting the plate 22 toward plate 58 to effect scavenging ofcoins from cradle 20 or the faces of magnet 59 if a spurious metal discis attracted thereto, includes a lever arm 62 pivotal about thehorizontal axis of securing means 64 mounted on the rear face of back12a and cooperable with a lug 66 of plate 22 extending through asuitable aperture therefor in back 12a, to effect movement of plate 22toward plate 58 whereby the legs 58a, 58b and 580 project through theopenings therefor in plate 22 and scavenge coins from the cradle 20 aswell as on the track defined by section 22b. A conventional scavengerarm 68 is also provided on the inner face of back 12a and operablycoupled to lever arm 62 for movement thereby to scavenge discs from thefaces of magnet 50 as arm 68 is swung downwardly by downward movement ofthe lever arm 62. Spring means 70 carried by securing means 64 isoperably coupled to lever arm 62 and to the frame 12 for maintaining thearm 62 at the normally uppermost end of its path of travel.

The novel cradle check device forming the structure for precludingrotation of cradle selector 20 unless coin of proper size and Weight ispositioned thereon, is indicated generally by the numeral 72 in thedrawing and constitutes the basic portion of the present invention. Itis apparent from FIGS. 1 and 3 that the device 72 is formed of anelongated length of relatively rigid spring wire bent longitudinallythereof into predeter mined configuration. The wire member 74 thereforeis of generally U-shaped configuration and has a horizontal bightportion 72a rotatably received within the semicylindrical segment 75 ofan elongated connector unit 76 suitably secured to the outer face ofplate 22 at the inclined portion 22a thereof adjacent leg 12a. Thegenerally J-shaped leg 72b of member 74 mounts a discshapedcounterweight 78 that serves to bias bight portion 72a in a clockwisedirection viewing FIG. 3. An intermediate leg 72c of member 74 extendsdownwardly from bight 72a and lies in normal flat engagement with theouter face of plate 22 and is slightly bent intermediate the extremitiesthereof toward the counterweight 78. The cam portion 72d of member 74 isgenerally V- shaped in configuration and projects into the slot 28 indirect overlying relationship to leg 32 of cradle 29. The upwardlyinclined face of V-portion 72d serves as a cam surface positioned in thepath of travel of a coin dropped downwardly through pathway 24. Thelowermost extension 72c of member 74 directly overlies the leg 32 ofcradle 20 to preclude rotation of the latter until extension 72c hasbeen shifted out of the path of travel of leg 32.

A secondary cradle check device broadly designated 80 is also mounted onplate 22 and includes a generally U-shaped element 82 also formed ofrelatively rigid spring wire longitudinally bent into the configurationillustrated in the drawings. The member 82 has a generally horizontalbight 32a rotatably carried by retainer 84 which also mounts theextension 38 projecting through plate 22 as shown in FIG. 4. Thegenerally J-shaped outer leg 82b of element 82 mounts a counterweight 86similar to weight 78 while the other leg of element 82 includes adownwardly directed, substantially rectilinear leg 82c lying flatlyagainst the outer face of plate 22, as well as a U-shaped extension 82dwhich projects through slot 30 into the path of coins 42 throughapparatus 10 and serves to act as a feeler for disc inserted in theselector that have holes therein such as washers or the like. The outerprojection 88a of element 82 and in gral With the am segment extension82d thereof, is

positioned within the path of travel of a radially extending shoulder 88of cradle 20 to preclude rotation of the latter, unless projection 88ehas been shifted out of the path of travel of radial shoulder 88 by alegitimate It is further to be noted that the cradle 20 is provided witha counterweight 90 thereon located in strategic disposition with respectto pin 26 so that the cradle 20 will not be tipped to divert a coin 42onto track section 221), unless such coin is of proper weight whenlocated in correct disposition between legs 32 and 34.

In the operation of apparatus 10, and assuming that the customer hasdeposited 50 in the vending or service machine carrying the coinselecting and accepting mechanism, it is to be understood that such coingravitates downwardly into the coin receiving pathway defined by theiner faces of back 12a and plate 22, as well as lug 36 and extension 38.During such downward movement of the 50 coin and which is denominated 42in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower margin of the coin initially contacts thecam surface of V-shaped portion 72d of member 74 thereby shiftingextension 72e out of the path of member 74 thereby shifting extension72c out of the path of travel of leg 32 of cradle 20 and against thebias of counterweight 78. Next, the coin 42 contacts the upwardly facingcam surface of extension 82d of hole feeler element 82 thereby cammingthe projection 88a out of the path of radial shoulder 88 on cradle '20.The coin 42 then comes to rest on both of the legs 32 and 34 of cradle20 whereby the weight of the coin is sufficiently off balance withrespect to counterweight 90 to effect counterclockwise rotation of thecradle 20 as shown in FIG. 1 to effect diversion of the coin 42 onto thetrack section 22b for gravitation therealong past the magnet 50.

In the event the coin introduced into apparatus is below the value of 50and thereby of smaller diameter than the distance between legs 32 and34, the coin will pass therebetween and pass downwardly through thereject pathway of apparatus 10 defined by the lower extremities of plate22 and back 12a of frame 12. The coin then gravitates into the uppercoin receiving pathway of the coin accepting and selecting unit directlybeneath apparatus 10 whereby such lower value coin is subjected tofurther testing for genuineness and denomination.

By virtue of the provision of cradle check device 72, it is not possibleto effect rotation of cradle without a proper coin 42 being positionedon both of the legs 32 and 34. For example, if a small diameter coin isthrown downwardly through the coin receiving pathway 24 with sufficientforce to otherwise displace the cradle, the latter cannot rotate aboutthe axis of pin 26 because the leg 32 "thereof is shifted intoengagement with projection 72a of member 74. In the absence of the checkdevice 72, in certain instances, it might be possible for the smalldiameter coin to engage the leg 34 and move the latter downwardlythrough a sufficient arc to effect diversion of the small value coinonto the coin trackway section 22b. In this manner, the apparatus Itcould either be jammed or the coin could actually pass into actuatingmechansim of the vending or service machine to permit the customer toobtain a product or service without deposit of proper value coinage insuch machine.

Of particular significance is the disposition of member 74 in directoverlying relationship to leg 32 so that the coin 42 passing downwardlythrough the coin receiving pathway 24, must engage the V-shaped portion72d of member 74 to cam extension 72c out of the path of travel of leg32, before the cradle 20 may rotate in a manner to divert the coin 42into the coin accepting pathway. In this manner, it is absolutelynecessary for the coin 42 to come to rest on both of the legs 32 and 34before the cradle 20 can rotate as previously described.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

In coin selecting apparatus provided with structure defining a coinreceiving pathway, a coin rejecting pathway therebelow, and a coinaccepting pathway, the combination of:

a cradle selector adapted to be pivotally disposed substantially at thezone of juncture of said pathways and including a pair of spaced legsfor receiving a coin thereon only if substantially of predetermined sizeand diverting the same into said coin accepting pathway as the selectoris pivoted about the axis of rotation thereof and as one of the legs ofthe selector moves downwardly and the other leg upwardly with respect tosaid axis;

an elongated coin operated member; and

means for pivotally mounting the member adjacent said coin receivingpathway for swinging movement about an axis above and in perpendicularrelationship to the axis of rotation of the selector, and parallel tothe major faces of coins moving downwardly in said coin receivingpathway, said member being provided with an extension on the lowerextremity thereof normally overlying and releasably engageable with saidother leg of the selector for preventing substantial rotation thereoffrom the normal disposition of the same by a coin striking said one legof the selector before said other leg of the same, said member beingfurther provided with an intermediate cam section above said extensionand extending into the coin receiving pathway immediately above saidother' leg of the selector and disposed to be moved to a position toshift said extension in a direction parallel with the axis of rotationof the selector to a position clearing said other leg of the selectorfor permitting pivoting movement of the latter, by a coin movingdownwardly through said coin receiving pathway toward and onto both ofsaid legs of the selector whereby the coin is diverted into said coinaccepting pathway only after being sized by and coming to rest on saidlegs of the selector.

References Eited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,629,006 5/27Sherburne et al. 194-102 X 2,588,510 3/52 Foushee et al. 194-l0l SAMUELF. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM B. LA BORDE, Examiner.

